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Saturday, 29 July 2017

North Korea leader Kim Jong-un says missile test shows all US within range

North Korea has hailed as a success its latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), describing it as a "stern warning" for the US.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the test proved that the entire US was within striking range, state media reported.

However, experts say many of North Korea's missiles cannot accurately hit targets.

The launch came three weeks after North Korea's first ICBM test.

The Pentagon said the latest missile was launched at 23:41 (15:41 GMT) from an arms plant in Jagang province in the north of the country.

North Korea said the ICBM flew for just over 47 minutes and reached an altitude of 3,724km (2,300 miles).

It is unusual for North Korea to launch a missile at night - the significance is as yet unclear. This is the first missile fired from Jagang province, indicating a previously-unknown launch site is operational.

The test was condemned by the US and North Korea's neighbours.

US President Donald Trump called it "only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime".

South Korea said it was concerned the North may have made "a significant advancement in technology", adding that the missile test was "unique in its time and place of launch".

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the threat to his country's security was "grave and real".